"It's all about making history," Thomas said. "This was a dominate performance from top to bottom."

The Broncos had four turnovers and a safety. Manning threw two interceptions, one that set up a touchdown and one returned for a touchdown. And the Seahawks forced two fumbles. The first one set up a touchdown.

Fans shouldn't have been too surprised. This was the fifth time in Super Bowl history that the team surrendering the fewest points in regular season played the team that scored the most points.

And the team with the fewest points allowed is 5-0.

This one got ugly early for Manning and his teammates.

"We're the best defense since the 1985 Bears," defensive end Michael Bennett said. "We could have played anybody today and done the same thing."

The Seahawks showed why they were the first team since the 1985 Bears -- also Super Bowl champions -- to lead the NFL in fewest points allowed, fewest yards allowed and the most takeaways.

"I wasn't surprised at all," linebacker Bobby Wagner said. "They hadn't played a defense that flies around like we do and hits like we do."

The last thing Denver needed was a safety on its first play, but that's what happened. From that point, things got worse for the Broncos, who trailed 5-0 after Steven Hauschka's 31-yard field goal that ended Seattle's first series.

A 29-yard punt by Britton Colquitt set up Seattle's third score, another Hauschka field goal, this one from 33 yards to give the Seahawks an 8-0 advantage in the first quarter.

On Denver's next drive, Chancellor intercepted Manning when he overthrew a pass. Running back Marshawn Lynch scored on a 1-yard run, giving Seattle a 15-0 lead.

About the only good thing the Broncos did was keep Lynch from getting into Beast Mode. He was a non-factor with 39 yards on 15 carries.

Manning drove the Broncos to Seattle's 35 on their next series, but then Avril hit Manning as he threw. The ball took off like a pop fly and came down into the arms of Smith, who returned it 69 yards for a touchdown.

"He was kind of working the other side of the field with his eyes," Smith said. "He came back and was checking the ball down quick, but (Avril) got hold of his arm, and the ball came out real high. I was fortunate to pick it.

"It was just excellent teamwork."

Smith's interception return boosted the Seahawks' lead to 22-0, a lead that lasted until Percy Harvin returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown and a 29-0 lead.

"We knew it had a good chance," Harvin said. "We'd been (working on) it all week. They did a heck of a job blocking. As soon as I caught the ball there was open field."

Later in the third quarter, the Seahawks took advantage of Smith forcing receiver DeMaryius Thomas to fumble, giving Seattle the ball at its 42.

Wilson threw a short pass over the middle to receiver Jermaine Kearse, who made an exceptional play. He bounced off three defenders to score a 23-yard touchdown for a 36-0 advantage.

On the last play of the third quarter, the Broncos finally scored on Manning's 14-yard pass to Thomas, who set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions. Manning threw a two-point conversion pass to Wes Welker.

Denver tried an onsides kick that Seattle covered. The Seahawks capitalized when Wilson and Doug Baldwin collaborated on their last touchdown on a 10-yard pass with 11:45 left in the game.